What: Ignite the Night AUSTIN, a NASA iTech event
When: March 11th from 2 – 4 p.m. CDT
Where: WeDC House, Banger’s at 79 Rainey Street, Austin, Texas
Entrepreneurs, university students, the investment community, and industry partners in the Austin, Texas region have a unique chance next month to join together and not only change the world, but also impact the future of space exploration.
A special Ignite the Night NASA iTech event, in collaboration with the Aerospace Industries Association and the Space Foundation, is slated for Monday, March 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at WeDC House (Banger’s at 79 Rainey Street in Austin). The fast-paced live event is designed to find and foster new technologies that might otherwise fly under the radar of NASA, potential investors, business leaders, and technology experts who could help bring the innovations to market.
The idea of NASA iTech, an initiative of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, is to increase interest in and awareness of winning innovations that can improve the future of space exploration and life on Earth.
NASA iTech will select and invite ten presenters from the applications received to pitch their ideas to an expert panel of judges at the Ignite the Night AUSTIN event. The winner in Austin will earn a semifinalist slot in the current NASA iTech Cycle, increasing their chances to qualify as a finalist for the 2019 NASA iTech Cycle I forum, which is scheduled to take place in Pasadena, California in July 2019.
For Ignite the Night AUSTIN, NASA iTech is searching for non-government funded technologies that address key focus areas. Those include: Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Robotic Capabilities, Intelligent Machines, Force and Tactile Sensors, Augmented and Virtual Reality Advancements, Flexible Materials.
There is also an X-Factor category to make room for ideas that may not neatly fit into one of the defined focus areas. An X-Factor technology is one that entrants think will wow the judges by the profound impact their innovation will have towards improving the future of space exploration and life on Earth.
Video from the event will be streamed online the day of the event from 2 to 4 p.m. CDT at livestream.com/nasaitech. The program will conclude with an award ceremony announcing the top innovator.
Innovators wishing to present at Ignite the Night AUSTIN will need to submit their application online by Friday, February 22nd. Additional information and a link to attend the free event as an audience member can also be found at NASAiTech.org.
Harla Sherwood
National Institute of Aerospace,
Hampton, Va.
757-636-6300
sherwood@nianet.org